Page:Route Across the Rocky Mountains with a Description of Oregon and California.djvu/157



FROM INDEPENDENCE Crossing to the Kanzas, Muddy Creek, Honey Creek, A small creek, Another, Another, Canon-Ball Creek, A branch, Another, Another, Vermillion, A Small Creek Another, Big Blue, Battle Creek, 90 17 20 : 1 : 12 : 11 107 127 136 139 143 145 156 161 164 166 178 183 186 197 BILL OF THE ROUTE. This is the general estimate of the distance, to the point where emigrants usually cross this river. At the season in which companies for Oregon or California generally leave the States, there is, in this distance, every where, an abundance of wood, water, and grass. The Kanzas River, is generally full in the Spring, but emigrants will probably hereafter be accommodated, by a Frenchman who resides at the crossing place, with a ferry-boat. Owing to the time required in crossing, and the consequent accumulation of great numbers of animals, the grass in this vicinity, will likely become, in a few days, insufficient. From the crossing, the road leaves the river gradually to the left. Here there is an abundance of wood and grass. The creek is small but deep, and the crossing has formerly been difficult. In the intermediate distance, the road, which still continues to leave the Kanzas River more and more to the left, crosses, every few miles, small creeks upon which there are good camps. At Honey Creek, there is the greatest abundance of wood and grass. Upon this, there is much grass—some wood. do do do do Upon Cannon-Ball Creek, there is an abundance of grass and wood. But little wood–grass abundant. do do do do This is a large creek, and near it there is wood and grass in the greatest abundance. Grass and wood are abundant. do do This is a river of considerable size, and at this season of the year it is frequently high and difficult to cross; but its bottom lands are covered with timber, which serves to make rafts, or canoes, and in the vicinity there is a great deal of grass. At Battle Creek, the grass is abundant, and the quantity of wood is sufficient for camps.